US2458938A - Automatic key case - Google Patents

Description

1949- s. GREENHOW AUTOMATIC KEY CASE Filed May 10. 1946 IN VEN TOR. Sydneyflzenfiay ATTD RN EYE Patented Jan. 11, 1949 UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE Sydney Greenhow, Windsor, Ontario, Canada Application May 10, 194.6, Serial No. 668,938

3 Claims. (01. veg-.456)

The invention relates to a key holder and more especially to a pocket key holder.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a holder of this character, wherein keys can be held in groups, within a case therefor and a particular key can be readily and conveniently selected with ease and dispatch without disturbing the keys of other groups than that including the selected key desired, the holder being of novel construction and is unique in the assembly of its parts, so that in the working of the holder it will assure quick access thereto forthe selection of a determined key in a particular group confined thereby.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a holder of this character, wherein keys can be readily placed therein and removed therefrom at will, the keys when held in the case being accessible from either side of the latter and from opposite areas thereof, without the projecting of all keys carried in the case.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a holder of this character, wherein it can be carried in a pocket of a garment, without damage thereto, resultant from wear and tear of the keys on the pocket, as is usual where the keys are strung on a ring or other like member, the

case of the holder being an enclosure for the keys to prevent misplacement or loss thereof.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a holder of this character, which is simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and effective in the purposes intended thereof, strong, durable, compact, possessed of few parts, neat in appearance, and inexpensive to manufacture.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which discloses the preferred embodiment of the invention, and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is an end elevation of the holder con structed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line i 2 5 5 of Figure 2 1ookingin arrows.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing the case of the holder in a partially open condition.

Figure 7 is a side view of the case of the holder.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawing.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the key holder constituting the present invention, comprises a pair of opposed outwardly bowed inher ently springy elongated side panels III, which match each other with the longer side edges arranged normally close and in parallel relation to each other to provide a key enclosing case which is identified generally at A.

The panels Ill have interposed therebetween at the longitudinal center thereof a sectional double loop-like coupling frame denoted generally at B, it involving longitudinally aligned separated key hanger loops II and I2 respectively, which at their outer ends are provided with entrance and release gaps normally closed by balllike closure heads l3 terminally formed on rethedirection of the versely extended curved arms l4 of a divider web 15, which is located at the longitudial center of the loops II and I2, and unitary with a cross strut l6 of the frame B, which is slightly less in length than the case A.

The panels ill at their longitudinal median are loosely connected by rings I! to the side runs I 8 of the frame B at opposite sides thereof, so that pressure on the panels in the directions as indicated by the arrows in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawing, will open the case A selectively to either side of the web l5 and at reverse sides of the frame B, so that a selected group or groups of keys l9 hung on the loops II and [2 will become exposed and accessible for service or a determined key can be projected from the case A for use. The keys l'9 are grouped on the loops H and I2 respectively, as best seen in Figure 2 of the drawing.

The keys H! are inserted through and released from the gaps normally closed by the closure heads for engagement on or removal from the loops H and [2, which are inherently springy' release gaps to and from the loops thereof, a web dividing the loops of the frame and having closure terminals for the gaps, and outwardly bowed flexible panels connected to the frame for encasing the latter and giving access thereto when external pressure is applied thereto.

2. A holder of the kind described, comprising a double loop like frame having entrance and release gaps to and from the loops thereof, a

said portions being 20 coupling said key-receiving portions to close said gap for removably retaining the keys on said portions, resilient panel members extending lengthwise of said parallel spring arms and curved about said arms toward each other whereby said panel members are adapted to contact each other, and means pivoting said panel members to said spring arms, whereby pressure upon said panel members at one side of said spring arms will cause said panel members to spread apart at the opposite side of said spring arms to expose the keys.

SYDNEY GREENHOW.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,261,148 Martin Apr. 2, 1918 2,198,110 Fischer Apr. 23, 1940

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